making bicycle luggage?

[young Ed]

i think this is right place if not feel free to move it mods
anyway i want to get into touring but on the ultralight side of things as im also an ultralight hiker
i dont want to tow a trailer or have panniers but i do want to use a frame bag like http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16786&category_id=324 and a handle bar harness like this http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=17044&category_id=324 or more likely this http://hansbagworks.com/new-handlebar-packs/img_1923/ or this http://forums.mtbr.com/bikepacking-bike-expedition/myog-handlebar-harness-advice-please-808075.html
any way i was planning on making my gear so any one else made anything any tips or tricks what should i look out for?
oh by the way planning on using the 1000 whatever cordura material for both probably
Cheers Ed

 

[Dayvo]

I think you should mention the length of your trip, where, when, whether you'll be staying in accommodation or being self-sufficient.

Touring, 'normally' lasts anything over a week or so. IME, two rear panniers and a bar bag have been sufficient, but good luck to you if you want to make your own luggage and try to find a more efficient way of touring.

 

[young Ed]

sorry not touring then as im only on about maybe a few days at the moment any way my first long distance trip will be 160 mile in just over a weeks time but i wont have any luggage ready by then will be either using camp sites or just wild camping with a bivi and sleeping bag hence the bar harness all with in the uk for the next few years prob might take france on when i have some uk experience all on road or national cycle networks or toe paths so no offroad
Cheers Ed

 

[Dayvo]

Here's something you might find enjoyable and educational:


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjbqIQeAYlU


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPeRjipNtVU

 

[young Ed]

cheers for the vids watched them both very interesting when im about 18 19 or 20 i shall do that sort of thing
Cheers Ed

 

[steveindenmark]

Usually, I would say that it is not worth the bother building your own bags and it is far more economical to buy them. But, £65 for a frame bag is ridiculous IMO.

Look on e bay for large frame bags. There is a choice.

Steve

 

[andym]

If you're an ultralight hiker you could just use the backpack and kit you already have. Lots of mountainbikers do multi-day rides (eg theTransAlp)with backpacks.

But, £65 for a frame bag is ridiculous IMO.

It is custom made - custom stuff is always a lot more expensive than mass-produced (frames would be another example). Which doesn't mean that a mass-produced bag won't do the job just as well, or that you couldn't just do without.

 

[steveindenmark]

Andy, I make sails for yachts for a living. I can use different colour sail cloth and thread and different weight materials, but if I then called them "Custom" made and doubled the price, I would have a problem.

I would think a large frame bag would fit most frames. I would not be paying £65.

Steve

 

[Ticktockmy]

Hi Ed, As I don't know what weight your Ultra lightweight backpacking kits comes out at. Cycle wise you need to watch the centre of gravity, the lower down you can carry the kit on the bike the easier you will find long distance cycling with kit can be. However I have see lots of cyclists touring using a large rucsac. Like you I am also into Lightweight backpacking so use the same kit for cycle touring, just use panniers instead of the rucsac which makes for a nicer ride. By the way are you aware of the Backpacker club http://www.backpackersclub.co.uk worth a look at maybe some trips on there that might interest you.

 

[andym]

Andy, I make sails for yachts for a living. I can use different colour sail cloth and thread and different weight materials, but if I then called them "Custom" made and doubled the price, I would have a problem.

Which isn't really comparing like with like. I wouldn't mind betting that your sails cost significantly more than sails made in China. (Or if that's a hypothetical example, would cost).

 

[young Ed]

thanks all for the ride next week i shall be using a 35 l rucksack.
have looked on ebay several times and either im not searching for the right thing or there is only tinty frame bags of there that might hold a phone and a few snack bars or so not any really that fill your whole triangle
so looks like i will be making some in the future
Cheers Ed

 

[steveindenmark]

You are looking for something like this. You need to look at the photos.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ibera-Tri...943?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27d7c2d2d7

Steve

 

[young Ed]

yeah looks bout right think i may make my own still though when i got some monies
Cheers Ed

 

[bigjim]

This guy http://ultralightcycling.blogspot.co.uk/ used a rucksack and just strapped it to his lightweight rack. Evidently you can have a rucksack that weigh a lot less than panniers but the same or greater volume.

 

[andrew_s]

He's a nutter.
16kg total for Vancouver to New York, including bike, tent and what he was wearing. He's got a new bike since, saving 2.5kg.
Bubble wrap for a sleeping mat! Apparently by the time the bubbles have all popped, you've got used to sleeping on the bare ground.